Von Miller and Sport Science

Doc BearMay 22, 2013 1:15 PM

As we've noted here at IAOFM, new Denver draftees Sylvester Williams and Montee Ball were featured in segments for ESPN's excellent Sport Science.

Two years earlier, the Sport Science team put Von Miller through their testing gauntlet. I enjoy their work - they bring some solid technology to measure the things that make a certain player effective, and it highlights aspects of that player’s skill set. Even if it's a bit late, I thought I'd discuss Von's Sport Science segment here.

Watching Miller’s work is like seeing the Mikhail Baryshnikov of the NFL. Baryshnikov himself used to seem to leap up into the air and just pause there for a long moment; it was astonishing to watch. Miller reminds me of that quality - he often looks as if he’s playing at a different speed than the rest of the people on the field. He dashes through what are pauses between moments to the rest of us.

Von Miller officially racked up 19 sacks last year (20 by PFF's count), and the speed testing gives an instant look at why. It takes him only 2.7 seconds, from a standing start, to reach his top speed of 19.5 mph. To get that speed into perspective, it’s how fast elite wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald can run. Miller is as fleet afoot as many top wide receivers.

Sport Science loves new technology, and they were using what was then a new shirt from Under Armour, one that calculates both heartbeat and respiration. It came in handy. One big factor in game performance is oxygen replenishment - how quickly the body returns to its resting heartbeat. This matters greatly over four quarters of NFL football - the quicker your body can reach a resting heart rate, the more easily it can handle the physical demands of game play.

It shows that the body adjusts to its oxygen requirements more often, more easily, and for longer periods of time. Miller was also a standout here - when sprinting (the distance should have been given, but was not) Miller’s heart rate hit 141 bpm. 90 seconds later, though, it had dropped to just 70 bpm. That shows the high level of aerobic conditioning that he’s done, as well as demonstrating an aspect of his natural athletic gifts.

One of the things I look for in evaluating a player is how quickly and accurately they react to the start of the play. A single step in the wrong direction can cost you the precious time necessary in how to defend against what becomes a long run or pass. To test Miller, they placed him 10 yards from three players - a real QB in the middle, and a mannequin on either side of the QB. Von was initially tested on how quickly he discerned whether is was a run or a pass, and then how well he reacted.

The results were unsurprisingly spectacular, given what we've since seen from Von over two seasons.

Miller discerned a pass play in just 0.27 seconds. He also reached 70% of his top speed in going after the pass, which he caught one-handed in the air above a crash pad. It’s beautiful to watch. When it was a feigned run play, he took out the mannequin (who was fitted with an impact-measuring sensor) with no mercy. Miller hit with the same power as fellow Pro Bowler DeMarcus Ware, which is not a bad mark to reach.

It’s no small wonder that Miller has had only 12 unblocked pressures in the past two seasons, as no opponent can afford to leave him uncovered. Predictably, he only failed to turn one of those into a sack. By PFF's count, that still leaves 21 sacks that he scored while being blocked - several by an attempted double team. Miller has commented on how the presence of Elvis Dumervil made his job easier, but I believe that Derek Wolfe, Sylvester Williams, Robert Ayers, and Shaun Phillips together should be able to provide him with the same level of coverage.

I’ll finish up with some of his highlights:

Having Miller in the front seven is punishing to an offense. He’s reportedly gotten even stronger this offseason, and it apparently hasn’t affected his incredible speed. The team reports that Shaun Phillips will be able to take his DE slot on pass plays at times, freeing Miller to roam and find the gaps and mismatches in the offensive line. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him break the 20-sack mark this season.

What may be the most enjoyable aspect of all from him is the sheer joy he experiences and demonstrates in his game. His dances of celebration are not arrogant or insulting - he’s just showing how much of a good time he’s having. He still deferentially refers to ‘Mr. Elway’ - despite his success, he hasn’t lost the innate politeness that’s joined with his honest exuberance to make him an instant fan favorite.

It’s going to be a heck of a season.

Learn to laugh at yourself. You will be ceaselessly amused. - Sri Gary Olsen

You can reach Doc at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or follow him on Twitter @alloverfatman

Good point on running to the right - Franklin's had the best ypc through his position in both of the last 2 years. Vasquez is weakest at run blocking, but a year with Magazu (and Gibbs) and I expect that to start improving. Putting Dreessen in to block next to either Franklin or Clady (who's really improved his run blocking) and you're looking at a nice situation either way.

The addition of the stretch block in either direction makes overloading against it pretty rough, since Manning can always change which side the run goes to at the line. It's tough to hide an overloaded run blitz from PM.

Denver did well last year at blocking backside pursuit. The addition of more of the outside zones (which they used at times) and now the stretch zones to the inside zone play they ran very well in 2012 should make opposing D's even more miserable. Fun, isn't it?

Posted by Doc Bear on 2013-05-23 05:36:20

I look forward to them running to the "right" side this year that is a LOAD of beef that direction as well as IF the keep Hester combining with a good blocking TE, not sure unless they really overload the D a hard running RB would be hard to stop..

That said IF they are stupid enough to overload that much, I look for Manning to check out and making them pay in a multitude of other Options..

Barring injury some where this is going to be one explosive year..

As for Fox ball, I really have few problems with going for field position opposed to taking the chance of putting our D in a very bad spot giving anyone a short field is asking for a lucky shot happening..

I'd rather put them into having to go 85-90 yards and pin them back and allowing Miller ETAL tee off.. That could be a really short field for Miller Time..

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2013-05-23 02:13:38

Doc,2 - I suspect that, in addition to Bannin, Siliga will become a casualty of the addition of Knighton and Williams - unless they keep 8 DL and/or Beal doesn't stick. Lots to still be decided.3 & 4 - Looking forward to what you will offer.5 - You're more kind than I am. IMO the complaint about "Conservative Foxball" is a chimera of half-wits,who are seldom worth the effort to read. It isn't just that "4th-down aggressive" strategies are mostly the result of Incompetent team and game management, the importance of a well-developed run complement to a successful passing game is most glaringly demonstrated when the run strategy can be used with impunity. Fox/Elway (as does Smith) understand this. Hence the draft of Ball in the 2nd round, fortunately as an strategic luxury (given few roster weaknesses) because of the importance of the consistent threat of play-action so crucial to the PM kind of offense.IMO there are some on this site whose comprehension of current NFL strategy is, at best, "primitive" if not downright ignorant. But then maybe, for some, it's fun to fantasize that they know better than Fox/Elway/PM. Fortunately, they only opine and never decide (coach).

Posted by ivanthenotsobad on 2013-05-23 00:05:42

Ivan -1. - Yes!2. It was Bannan, with Wolfe (on some downs), Unrein, Vick and (in theory) Siliga. Siliga impressed the heck out of people until the pads went on in TC. Williams should be a major upgrade. Warren never did play. 3. Careful, my friend, you're stealing one of my next columns :D. I'll be talking about some of the options with the nickel base package.

4. Yes, and more of the same in #35. While I understand the feelings on Fox regarding 4rd downs, I really don't see him as overly conservative in general. His clock management could use some extra attention without question, but winning 13 straight with a new system in place didn't upset me in the least. Opinions vary, to be sure.

Btw, the runs into the center of the line that drove many of us batty were not Fox's but Mike McCoy's calls, as Adam Gase noted this week. Gase's planning on using inside zone, outside zone and stretch zone plays (hence at addition of Gibbs) to keep the D's from teeing off on Hillman when he was/is running out the clock. I'd imagine that Hester (who Gase also said was an expect to be kept as a bigger back this year) will take those downs from Hillman either way.

Posted by Doc Bear on 2013-05-22 21:08:50

Doc,

For me, you're addictive.

At times, I feel like a worshiper.

Again, for me, you've opened a can of worms.

While highlighting the almost scary potential of the Bronco named "Von", you've inadvertently or advertently (should be a real word, if not) also introduced several defensive motifs that need discussion.

1 - Admittedly, Von's unique skill set gives opportunity for some thinking "outside the box". More and more clearly, Von is disclosing the presence of a LB "freak". Which gives some possibilities for expansive scheming.

2 - The addition of Knighton and Williams (replacing Bannin and ? [Warren, Dumervil?]) with emphasis on expanded roles for Ayers, Vickers, Williams, Wolfe, Jackson and Smith, indicates that "pocket unease" (collapsing the pocket, etc.) is a targeted strategy for the 2013 defense.

3 - Emphasis on the role of DBs (bigger, agressive, man coverage, etc.) in moving to former "packages" (i.e. - nickel and dime) as base defenses (as opposed to 4 DL, 3 LB, 4 DB), results in renewed emphasis on DB skill sets which include man coverage, tackling skills and quick read mentalities. Increasing importance on DBs who are blends of LBs, especially in the ability to cover TEs, stop the run and rush the QB.4 - Redefined LB roles as flexible players who can: cover (including TEs), set edge or middle, tackle and rush (Von as prototype, with Woodyard, Irving, Trevathan, Bradley, Johnson as developmental examples or possibilities) emerges for defensive flexibility.

IMO, there are signs that all of these trends are being addressed by the Broncos.

Frankly, I see little of the dreaded "conservative" Foxball that is unaccountably able to win 13 games. (Since apparently the least "aggressive" HCs are Fox and Smith who won 13 games last year and the most "aggressive" HCs are a plethora of "losers". We should replace the term "aggressive" with the less connotative terms "foolhardy" or "loser" and the term "conservative" with the less connotative term "genius" or "winner".)

Posted by ivanthenotsobad on 2013-05-22 20:36:36

iPhone disqus freeze.

Drafting the rookie just may mean more is time here will be this season if that.

They have HUGE decisions to make with UFA at the end of this season. All of Mc Ds last draft are due(except DT) plus most of the FAs John signs each year. (Except Vasquez) ( that was for the spelling nazi.).

So this should not only be a great year for wins but also who gets resigned.

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2013-05-22 20:29:24

Got to remember he also brought Beadles, JD, Decker and DT in pretty much one draft not to mention Ayers and Moreno the year before. Is suspect both will become bigger stars/help this coming year. I believe that Ayers had his growth stunted with the 3-4 and being used as OLB.

While he was miscast by the DC at the time now he has solid coaching and schemes to make his name.

As for Moreno make or break year for him. He was solid when they needed him until he was hurt. Very solid. I also expect him to make it turf for the rookie to take his spot.

Although Like Tebow neither of the johns have anything invested in him.

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2013-05-22 20:24:08

Lets just hope that JDR decides that as good as this D should be the next few yearss he will not take a shot at a HC Job but instead dedicate his life to becoming the next BEST DC the league has seen.

There have Been many that were great DCs get promoted (like he was) only to go back tho the job they love and dominate at. The best of the DC in our decade were/are the guy that died in PHL a couple years ago, our nemesis's in PIT, BAL

Let him become the best DC and be content in DEN for the rest of his career.

Posted by Lonestar47 on 2013-05-22 20:16:11

Crazy is what I was worried about :)

Posted by aLuffabo on 2013-05-22 16:43:51

During said valley, I may not have agreed. Looking back from the top of the next mountain. Indeed!

Posted by RyanHennigan on 2013-05-22 16:13:50

Suffering through the low valleys of the McDipshit era were worth it, if only because it netted us Von Miller.

Posted by Chad Jensen on 2013-05-22 15:59:15

Thanks, Bro. Doug always edits, so it's a mutual effort ;-)

Posted by Doc Bear on 2013-05-22 15:21:04

Miller had 3 MT according to PFF.

Re: Von and a 'spy' role - With Shaun Phillips able to move to Miller's 2 or 3 point stances at the end of the DL, Miller can be freed to play a Joker role, moving around for any mismatches (like, most of them) or holes in the OL. I expect that to be highly productive. Having pass rush skill from Miller, Wolfe, Ayers, Phillips, Knighton and Vick as well as the DBs hasn't hurt my expectations of the year, either. JDR commented,

“We seek to pressure from every angle. We want to pressure everybody on our defense from corner on the short side to corner on the field side and everybody in between—safeties, linebackers and D-Linemen. We have designs bringing pressure from a lot of areas and that’s part of what we do—not only to affect the quarterback and to make it tough for them to know where we’re coming from, but also for them to be able to block [LB] Von [Miller]. At the end of the day, if you spend too much time on Von, we’re going to try to hit you from the back side. It all ties together.”

Posted by Doc Bear on 2013-05-22 15:20:37

It was, but it was our mistake. You weren't seeing things, so you're not going crazy or anything, haha.

Posted by Douglas Lee on 2013-05-22 15:19:32

Wait... Wasn't your name in the title? Or did I mis-read?

Good job Doc! :)

Posted by aLuffabo on 2013-05-22 15:03:49

Whoops, it's Doc's!

Posted by Douglas Lee on 2013-05-22 15:01:10

Nice one Doug!

I've said it roughly 583 times, but I friggin' love me some Von.

Here's a random question I'm posing to y'all; When we play against a mobile/running quarterback, should we use Von in a "QB spy" role?

We saw some of this when we played Carolina last season, with Von shadowing/menacing Cam Newton the entire game. I really think it took Cam out of his game to feel like there is a guy who is a better athlete than he waiting for him to leave the pocket so he can pounce. When we run into RGIII/Vick/Cam, I'd really like to see Von's unique talents put to use in this way.

I still can't get over the fact that he had what, 1 or 2 missed tackles last season? As much as he was in the action, that is absolutely incredible.

Posted by aLuffabo on 2013-05-22 14:50:43

They'll be in camp in 2 months - that should help ;-)

Posted by Doc Bear on 2013-05-22 14:49:47

Don't get me wrong. I love this stuff and thank you IAOFM for all your great work.

4 months is a long time to twiddle my fingers.

Posted by RyanHennigan on 2013-05-22 14:47:59

I second that. Thanks a lot!

Posted by Rollston Frangopoulos on 2013-05-22 14:18:39

So you're going to get me all amped up and now I have to wait till September?!? Great. Just great.